Stagecoach 2014: Lynyrd Skynyrd plays the classics for fans

Southern rock’s Lynyrd Skynyrd could do no wrong in the eyes of the massive crowd that spilled out of the Palomino stage on Friday night at the Stagecoach Country Music Festival.

The group tore through their classic hits like “Sweet Home Alabama,” “That Smell,” “Gimme Back My Bullets” and the band’s epic single “Freebird.”

“All I have to say is what an honor,” said lead singer Johnny Van Zant. “You guys are fantastic. I already want to come back next year.”

While there has been a lot of lineup changes, and unfortunately deaths with the most famous being the three members who died in a 1977 plane crash including lead singer Ronnie Van Zant, the band brought its best on Friday night.

Mike Barnett, 46, of La Quinta said he had “medium expectations” but he was blown away by the group’s performance.